SHOPPING in BALI
Take a walk outside the luxurious tropical villas for a while and discover how Bali is quite the treasure chest when it comes to shopping.
Why shop here?
True, Bali is more synonymous with picture-perfect beaches and opulent villas complete with private pools and butler service, but that doesn't mean retail therapy is off the table on the Island of the Gods. There's more to Bali's shopping scene than just souvenir shops selling novelty T-shirts and knick-knacks. When it comes to fashion, the island is home to countless chic boutiques that showcase the creations of upcoming talented local designers. It doesn't stop there as world-class couturiers have more than taken Bali into consideration as they expand their empires. Bali is also home to gorgeous jewellery brands like John Hardy, Jemme, Atlas Pearls, among others. As an island that thinks highly of arts and culture, Bali is filled with art galleries that house everything from priceless traditional arts to the most talked-about, one-of-a-kind contemporary pieces. Of course we can't talk about Bali without mentioning its exquisite crafts, from the delicate silver crafts in Celuk Village to the much-coveted traditional weaving from Tenganan.
The aforementioned are just the tip of the iceberg. The most precious treasures you can uncover in Bali are usually hidden in the most obscure corners, so spare some time to roam the streets of Seminyak and Ubud (and beyond) and discover the greatest buys of the day.
Where to shop?
Compared to Jakarta and many other metropolitan cities, the shopping malls in Bali are relatively humble in size. That being said, they definitely should not be overlooked. The everpopular Kuta Beach has beachwalk Shopping Center, which hosts many international ready-to-wear brands, not to mention the magnificent Museum Kain, which gathers and showcases unique and treasured traditional fabrics from all over Indonesia in order to preserve the national heritage and introduce it to a wider audience.
In Seminyak there's the exclusive Seminyak Village with its striking design and high-end international brands like Farah Khan, MCM, MC2 Saint Bart, Rococo, Intime by Time International and Bonhour beauty hall, which carries beauty brands like Dior, among others.
The latest addition is Samasta, a new shopping hub in Jimbaran, and the highlight of this destination is Asamula. A boutique with a cool concept, Asamula has carefully curated high-quality local brands that are uniquely Indonesia and put them together in this charming store. If you haven't yet familiarised yourself with eclectic local brands like Sejauh Mata Memandang, Tulisan, Tayada Batik, Gaze Eyewear, KAIND and so many more, it's about time you did so, and Asamula is where to go.